Monitoring continuous forest regeneration on the Veluwe
Wild ungulates, such as red deer, roe deer, fallow deer and wild boar, are an important part of natural forest ecosystems in the Netherlands. Through browsing, bark stripping, and rooting, wild ungulates facilitate various ecological processes and the associated biodiversity. However, the consistently high browsing and rooting pressure currently poses challenges across the entire Veluwe region.
The Province of Gelderland aims to ensure continuity in forest regeneration and an ecologically appropriate level of browsing and rooting pressure. For this reason, the province commissioned Stichting Probos to assess the extent to which available data (from the National Forest Inventory (NBI), and the browsing pressure research) is sufficiently comprehensive and reliable for monitoring continuous forest regeneration on the Veluwe. The primary goal is to monitor forest regeneration within Natura 2000 areas, with a secondary goal of adjusting potential management measures.
In an exploratory study, the suitability of existing data sources for monitoring the level of forest regeneration and browsing and rooting pressure was examined. Following an initial test using these datasets, a memorandum was drafted outlining the interpretative value of the data analyses conducted and the limitations of the existing data sources. Finally, a vision was presented of what an optimal monitoring framework would look like and what is needed to achieve it. This memorandum is being used by the Province of Gelderland as input for shaping the monitoring programme of the Forest Restoration Programme (Natura 2000 Veluwe).
Information
Expert(s): Sander Teeuwen, Jasper Velthuis & Joyce Penninkhof
Client: Provincie Gelderland
Year: 2024
